Please help – scared about the attire for a VERY formal Viennese ball

Question : what attire may i wear for attending a formal Ball ???
For my job (cultural fundraising), I am invited to the First release
of a New Great
'Viennese' Ball in a country of Central Europa (new ECC), next spring.
It will take place in an old palace. I am aware that I must indeed
wear some evening dress, but what exactly is the recommanded attire to
be "in" as a guest of honour to this affair?
The english (and german and local language written) program tells : «
The 1st xxx Ball is a very formal affair, white tie … Ladies may wear
a full ball attire. »
I am so scared about the do and dont and according to my function I
cant go out of the right etiquette line ! I shall be likely among the
Committee members and in the receiving line. What is this "FULL ball
attire" required ??? thanks
to everyone ! Lauriane 28y French woman.

In article <1163cd77.0502201053.2df5a...@posting.google.com>,
anita.m...@wanadoo.fr (Anita) wrote:
Don't be scared. Ask one of the organizers because the room for error is
large. "Formal" and "full ball attire" for a Viennese ball could mean
anything from a modern ball gown (floor length with a full skirt) to
period costume attire, usually white dresses, gloves, tiaras and
possibly masks (see this link):
http://www.s–t.com/daily/06–98/06–28–98/e02li177.htm
If it's not costume attire, you'd look silly showing up in costume
attire. If others are wearing costume attire, you may feel underdressed
no matter how beautiful your modern ball gown is. I've been to one
Viennese ball that was "modern ball gown" and didn't enjoy it at all,
mostly because I don't know how to waltz and the infatuation I had for
my boyfriend had already diminished by the time we went. If I were
expected to wear period attire, I'd have definitely pretended that I was
too ill to attend because I'd rather have my kidneys removed without
anesthesia than risk having photographs taken of me in what someone
might later think was a bad wedding dress choice :)
Stacy

I wear opera–length gloves for fraternal (Masonic) events at least
twice per month and this is my favorite place to order from:
http://www.finalegloves.com and these are my favorite pair
http://www.finalegloves.com/7016.html . Yes, they are expensive, but
with proper care, will last for many years and always look perfect.
Leather is the most classic and this
http://www.finalegloves.com/7216.html shows how to turn back (unbutton
the mousquetaire, wriggle your hand out and carefully turn back,
rebutton when done). Alarmingly expensive, but always appropriate.

Stacy Ferguson <stac...@stacyef.net> wrote in message

Hi thanks Stacy – I dont think its a "masked" ball or an historic
ball, but rather some form of classic Viennese ball as in Vienna
(Grosses Ballkleid says the German text)Your link is instructive, I
suppose that the attire (white) is that of the opening young pro
dancers, but for the guests /attendants, a ball attire is required
after the program, short version I have received. So what I should
wear ? Lauriane

"Anita" <anita.m...@wanadoo.fr> wrote in message
news:1163cd77.0502211716.570a0...@posting.google.com...
news:<stacyef–7F4160.15094520022...@news.newsguy.com>...
In article <1163cd77.0502201053.2df5a...@posting.google.com>,
anita.m...@wanadoo.fr (Anita) wrote:
Question : what attire may i wear for attending a formal Ball

It sounds like standard white tie which means a full–length (floor

gown, an evening dress with a full skirt. You could add elbow–length

if you like. Those are easily removed if you arrive at the ball and

others aren't wearing any.

If you do wear gloves (which would be proper), you would remove them to
eat or drink. Long gloves would be proper with a sleeveless gown and
shorter gloves with a sleeved gown.

In article <1109376449.198177.51...@g14g2000cwa.googlegroups.com>,
jjjjjuliep <jjjjju...@aol.com> wrote:
(snip)
Here are some of the guidelines from gaspargloves.com.
The length of a glove has become a fashion in itself. Starting with the
briefest glove   which stops short at the wrist, glove lengths continue
from 2–button to 20–plus button, with each glove playing its own role.
The very short glove has a young and jaunty appearance. The 8–button
glove is a staple of the wardrobe, but 10–12–to–16 button lengths are
also important.
The most significant thing to remember today is that glove lengths are
concerned with fashion, rather than the time of day or decorum. In the
19th century, bare arms were frowned upon and gloves met sleeve lengths
because of prudery. And for some time, very long gloves were associated
with very formal evenings. But now, the length of a glove is synonymous
with elegance?crushed in luxurious folds it becomes a beautiful and
important accessory for costumes with any sleeve lengths, and at any
time of day.
That said, here are a few suggested guidelines:
Sleeve Length––Glove Length
Very formal bare–shouldered fashion––20–button plus, extending from
above the elbow to the shoulder?the most formal gloves of all.
Sleeveless daytime or dinner dress––Very short gloves or opera
(16–button, above the elbow).
Cap sleeve––Crush glove (10–button), elbow length (12–button) or even
longer glove crushed to shorter length.
Elbow sleeve––Elbow glove that meets the sleeve (12–button length).
Below elbow or bracelet sleeve––8–button or very short.
 
Definite Don¹ts
Don¹t eat, drink or smoke with gloves on.
Don¹t play cards with gloves on.
Don¹t apply makeup with gloves on.
Don¹t wear jewelry over gloves, with the exception of bracelets.
Don¹t make a habit of carrying your gloves?they should be considered an
integral part of your costume.
Don¹t wear short gloves to a very gala ball, court presentation or
³White Tie² affair at the White House or in honor of a celebrity.
Definite Do¹s
Do wear gloves when you go shopping, visiting, driving; and for outdoor
festivities such as garden parties and receptions.
Do wear gloves as a mark of respect in a place of worship.
Do wear gloves for formal indoor occasions: receptions, balls, and on
arrival at a luncheon or dinner party.
Do keep gloves on in a receiving line.
Do keep gloves on while dancing at a formal party.
Do keep gloves on at a cocktail party until the drinks and hors
d¹oeurves are passed. Then turn gloves back at the wrist or remove one
glove.
Do remove gloves entirely at the dining table.
Do remove gloves after your arrival at an informal party or luncheon,
leaving them with your coat.
Hope that is helpful. If you couldn't tell, I love gloves!

Claire in SF wrote:
???
For my job (cultural fundraising), I am invited to the First
release
of a New Great
'Viennese' Ball in a country of Central Europa (new ECC), next
spring.
It will take place in an old palace. I am aware that I must
indeed
wear some evening dress, but what exactly is the recommanded
attire to
be "in" as a guest of honour to this affair?
The english (and german and local language written) program
tells : =AB
The 1st xxx Ball is a very formal affair, white tie ? Ladies
may wear
a full ball attire. =BB
I am so scared about the do and dont and according to my
function I
cant go out of the right etiquette line ! I shall be likely
among the
Committee members and in the receiving line. What is this "FULL
ball
attire" required ??? thanks
to everyone ! Lauriane 28y French woman.
Don't be scared. Ask one of the organizers because the room for
error is
large. "Formal" and "full ball attire" for a Viennese ball could
mean
anything from a modern ball gown (floor length with a full skirt)
to
period costume attire, usually white dresses, gloves, tiaras and
possibly masks (see this link):
http://www.s–t.com/daily/06–98/06–28–98/e02li177.htm
If it's not costume attire, you'd look silly showing up in
costume
attire. If others are wearing costume attire, you may feel
underdressed
no matter how beautiful your modern ball gown is. I've been to
one
Viennese ball that was "modern ball gown" and didn't enjoy it at
all,
mostly because I don't know how to waltz and the infatuation I
had for
my boyfriend had already diminished by the time we went. If I
were
expected to wear period attire, I'd have definitely pretended
that I was
too ill to attend because I'd rather have my kidneys removed
without
anesthesia than risk having photographs taken of me in what
someone
might later think was a bad wedding dress choice :)
Stacy
Hi thanks Stacy – I dont think its a "masked" ball or an historic
ball, but rather some form of classic Viennese ball as in Vienna
(Grosses Ballkleid says the German text)Your link is instructive, I
suppose that the attire (white) is that of the opening young pro
dancers, but for the guests /attendants, a ball attire is required
after the program, short version I have received. So what I should
wear ? Lauriane
length)
gloves
see
If you do wear gloves (which would be proper), you would remove them to
eat or drink. Long gloves would be proper with a sleeveless gown and
shorter gloves with a sleeved gown.
Also no leather shoes and no watch, please.
The ball gown should have a full, floor–length skirt. A knee–length
(cocktail) dress or a slim cut (dinner/black tie) dress would not be
appropriate.
Have fun!

Ohh thanks a lot for your reserch and quotation; if i understand the
appropriate dress code, I shall have to wear long gloves since its a
formal dance – and the "most formal" ones since the gown is bare
shouldered ? keep my gloves on while dancing ?
What about the color and material for these gloves ?
How do they "turn the gloves back at the wrist " for drinking ???

Hi thanks a lot ! so its the big gown – sleeveless is better ? which
fabric – colour ?
No watch =3D hope there is a clock somewhere (Cinderella's nightmare
...) – anyway, if gloves are to be worn the problem is out. By "would
be proper " you mean the gloves are fashionable or they are a
requirement ?
They told me that I shall enter and stay among the planners ,
officials and guests of honour. I shall be in the "spotlight" !!!This
is what scares me and why I can't make any faux–pas!
Why no leather evening shoes ???
All this looks to me very "do and dont" – impressive for a first gala
affair !